Connection devices for a flexible circuit

ABSTRACT

A connection device is provided for connecting a flexible circuit. Said connection device having a casing in which is constructed at its front end a series of plug sockets for receiving connectors. The connectors include electrical contact terminals for crimping to a flexible circuit. A cover is attached to the casing that pivots from an open position, in which the connectors may be inserted in the plug sockets, and a close position in which the connectors are locked in place. Upper and lower openings are constructed in the casing to allow the crimping of the terminals after they are locked in place.

This application claims the benefit of the earlier filed InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP00/10561, International Filing Date, Oct. 26,2000, which designated the United States of America, and whichinternational application was published on May 3, 2001, as InternationalPublication No. WO/31748 A1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connection device for a flexiblecircuit and more particularly a connector module for a flexible circuitas well as the connection procedure for the same.

Flexible circuits generally consist of a first sheet of flexibleinsulating material on which are arranged conducting tracks, forexample, of copper, these tracks being themselves covered by either asecond sheet of insulating material or by an insulating varnish. Therecircuits are widely used in the electrical industry and several methodsof connection exist for connecting them to electrical connectors or toelectronic components.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,402 relates to the implementation of a connector fora flexible circuit whose electrical contacts comprise, on the one hand,flexible circuit piercing wings and on the other hand a connectortermination with a supplementary connector. These connectors, which areconnected to the flexible circuit by means of crimping, are contained ina supplementary insulating housing in which the connection is assembledfor crimping.

The connection of flexible circuits by crimping using multipleconnectors requires close attention to the crimped connection of theflexible circuit and the connectors, as well as to the connector lead.It is, in particular, necessary to protect the interface of the flexiblecircuit and the connector against a possible detachment.

It is moreover desirable to be able to make connections of the flexiblecircuit with the connectors in a pre-fitted position. To this end, U.S.Pat. No. 4,082,402 provides a casing comprising plug sockets for thereception of connectors, the rear portion of these sockets including asupporting plate that allows crimping of the flexible circuit to theconnectors. The rear portion of the casing, which receives the flexiblecircuit, is then closed by a hinged flap. This flap protects theconnector terminations and the flexible circuit itself.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes to improve the connector of the prior artand its connection procedure and in particular, to facilitate itsmanipulation and to make the crimping operation more reliable.

To this end, the invention concerns, in particular, a flexible circuitconnection device comprising a casing having at least one row oflongitudinal plug sockets for the reception of connectors. Theconnectors include crimping and electrical contact terminations for theflexible circuit. A cover component is attached to the casing formanipulation between a position in which the connectors can bepre-inserted and a position in which the said connectors are locked inplace. The cover component consisting of a frame provided with anopening for admitting a component of the crimping tool.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing comprises awindow between the front portion having the plug sockets and a rearportion having connector guide grooves. The window provides an openingfor admitting a counter thrust tool.

The frame and the casing can advantageously be fitted with supplementarylatching components.

The frame includes, on its rear portion, an opening for inserting theflexible circuit, after the cover has been closed. Alternately, theframe can be raised in relation to the flexible circuit connectionterminations.

According to the invention, the cover can be equipped, still at its rearend, with at least one lug designed to be inserted in a hole made in theflexible circuit, the casing being equipped with a seat for receivingand retaining the lug.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lug can be arranged on afoldable blade terminal which forms part of the frame.

Still according to the invention, the casing can constitute a connectionmodule designed to be arranged in a module carrier connector component.In that case, supplementary latching devices can, in particular beprovided in a first position called the loading of module or in aposition of pre-insertion of the modules and a second position calledconnection position.

According to the invention, the procedure of connection of the flexiblecircuit comprises the following sequence of steps, namely, the insertionof the connectors into the plug sockets of the casing, the closure ofthe cover component onto the connectors, the sliding of the flexiblecircuit into a space between the cover and the crimping of theconnectors to the flexible circuit, the crimping of the flexible circuitto the connectors taking place by means of a tool inserted into theframe.

The flexible circuit is provided with at least one hole, and a step ofcentering and locking the flexible circuit into the casing isaccomplished by the insertion of a lug that forms part of the frame.This serves to lock the flexible circuit into the said hole. This stepoccurs after the steps of inserting the flexible circuit and the stageof crimping.

For a connector component of the module carrier comprising one module,the steps can be implemented with the module pre-inserted into themodule carrier.

For a connector component of the module carrier comprising severalmodules, the crimping operation is carried out on the modules outsidethe module carrier, the cabled modules with their flexible circuit beingthen inserted into the module carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reading the description of aparticular non-limiting embodiment of the invention, in conjunction withthe drawings which show the following aspects of the invention:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective side view of a device according to theinvention with the connectors in the pre-insertion position;

FIGS. 2a and 2 b respectively show perspective side views of a deviceaccording to the invention with the connectors in the inserted position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective side view of a device according to theinvention with the connectors in the inserted position, with theretaining device closed, without the flexible circuit;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of a device according to theinvention with the connectors in the inserted position, the flexiblecircuit being crimped on the connectors and the cover in the lockedposition of the connectors and the position of retention of the flexiblecircuit;

FIGS. 5a and 5 b respectively show two section views of FIGS. 3 and 4which show the introduction of the flexible circuit;

FIGS. 6a and 6 b respectively show perspective views of a connectorcomprising a module carrier and a connection module according to theinvention, for the stage of crimping in the loading position;

FIG. 6c shows a perspective view of a connector comprising a modulecarrier and several connection modules according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 represents a connection device for flexible circuit 100, shown inFIG. 3. The device comprising a casing (1) fitted with at least one rowof longitudinal plug sockets for receiving the connectors (6). Theconnectors 6, of which two are shown in FIG. 1, comprise terminations(7) for forming a crimped electrical connection to the flexible circuit.Crimping terminations 7 are formed from a flat portion 20 of connector6. Connector 6 moreover comprising, in traditional fashion, a connectortermination (21) for connection with a supplementary connector (notshown). Termination 21 is a female termination in the example shown, butwhich can be of any other known type.

The connector (6) are longitudinally inserted into the casing (1) and,during the are guided by the grooves (31) and the notches (32) made inthe rear portion of the casing. These connectors can, for example, beprovided in familiar fashion with means of locking them into the plugsockets of the casing (not shown).

The casing comprises a cover component (5), shown in FIG. 1 in an openposition, which allows the insertion of the connectors 6. The cover 5 ismaneuverable between a position for pre-insertion of the connectors 6and a position for locking the connectors 6. This locked position isshown in FIG. 3 and shows that a wall (18) of the cover component blocksthe connectors by resting against a ridge (22) of the connectortermination with a supplementary connector. The cover 5 consists of aframe (11) provided with an opening to admit a component of a crimpingtool (50). The frame 11 is constructed having side walls (23, 24), arear wall (25) and a wall (18) which blocks the connector.

The frame 11 and the casing 5 are provided with supplementary latchingcomponents (8, 9). These components are positioned respectively, as isshown in the example of FIG. 1, on the side walls of the cover and onside walls (26, 27) of the casing. The latching of these catches intothese reinforcements locks the connectors. The casing, with itsconnectors, can then be readily manipulated and can receive the flexiblecircuit without danger of connector misalignment.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the frame includes an opening (10) on the wall25 that provides a space for the introduction of the flexible circuit100. Alternatively, the frame 11 can be slightly raised, in relation tothe connector terminations 7, so that flexible circuit 100 can beintroduced under the frame 11 via the rear of the casing 5. The sidewalls (23) and (24) guide the flexible circuit sideways and the flexiblecircuit is inserted above the crimping terminations until it stopsagainst wall (18).

As can be seen, in particular, in FIG. 1, the cover 5 is provided at itsrear end with at least one lug (12) designed to be inserted into a hole(101) of the flexible circuit 100. Two lugs are advantageously provided.The lugs 12 hold the flexible circuit 100 in place, after it has beeninserted and positioned with respect to the crimping terminations insuch a way as to allow accurate crimping to the conducting tracks of theflexible circuit.

Still for the purpose of improving the retention of the flexiblecircuit, the casing is fitted with a seat (28) for the reception andretention of this lug.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the lug or lugs (12) is/are carried by afolding blade terminal (13) which forms part of the frame. It ispossible to provide a single blade terminal, or one for each lug. InFIG. 5a the lug (12) is shown in the position which allows the flexiblecircuit to be inserted and in FIG. 5b, the lug 12 is shown in theposition in which the flexible circuit 100 is held for crimping by atool (50) as shown in FIG. 5b.

The crimping is performed by squeezing the teeth of the crimpingterminations (7) which penetrate the flexible circuit and are folded onthe flexible circuit by the action of the tool (50) and the counter-tool(51) which exercises counter thrust.

As can be seen, in particular, in FIGS. 1 and 5b, the casing 1 includesa window (30) arranged between a front portion of the said casing 1 anda rear portion (33) which forms a beam having connector guide grooves(31). The window 30 provides an opening to allow the entry of a counterthrust tool 51. The said counter thrust tool allows more accuratecrimping than is the case in the prior art, where the connectors bearagainst a floor of the casing.

The portions of the connectors, which are provided with crimpingterminations 7, can, when the connectors are fully inserted in the plugsockets, either become completely disengaged from the rear beam 33, asshown in FIG. 2a by connector (40 a), or lengthened in order to preservea side retention of the crimping terminations 7 between the notches(32), as can be seen in FIG. 2b connector (40 b).

In this case it is nevertheless desirable that the rear portion of theconnector should not rest on the bottom of groove (31) to avoidhindering the crimping action of the crimping tool (50) and thecounter-tool (51)

The beam (33) is linked to the front of the casing by the arms (34) and(35) that frame the window 30, these arms including latching components(9) of the frame (5)

FIGS. 6a and 6 b show the connection casing with an associated modulecarrier (14). The casing then constitutes a connection module.

The casing and the module carrier can include supplementary latchingdevices (15, 16, 17), the devices (15) and (17) allowing a partialinsertion of the module into a first position called the loading ofmodules, in which the insertion of the flexible circuit 100 is possibleand also allows its crimping. The devices (15) and (16) allow a secondlocking position called the position of connection of the module(s) intothe module carrier, wherein the module carrier is loaded with itsmodules thus forming a connector which is able to be coupled to asupplementary connector.

FIG. 6c shows a module carrier fitted with several modules, the modulesin that case being inserted together with their flexible circuit intothe module carrier.

According to the invention, the principal steps in the assembly of aconnector therefore are:

a—insertion of connectors into plug sockets of the casing;

b—closure of the cover component onto the connectors;

c—sliding of the flexible circuit into a space between the cover formingthee frame and the crimping terminations of the connectors on theflexible circuit;

d—crimping of the flexible circuit on the connectors by means of a toolinserted into the frame.

These steps allow an easy manipulation of the casing loaded with itsconnectors and an accurate assembly of the flexible circuit to thecasing to allow the crimping. It should be noted that the casing can bepre-assembled with its connectors according to stages “a” and “b” andthen stored or supplied in that condition, the stages “c” and “d” beingperformed later.

At these stages and in the case where the flexible circuit is providedwith at least one hole, a lug that forms part of the locking frame,inserted into the hole of the flexible circuit and a step of centeringand locking of the flexible circuit into the casing is interposedbetween the step of insertion of the flexible circuit and the step ofcrimping.

As previously explained, the modules can be supplied with connectorspre-assembled to a cabling station of the flexible circuit or suppliedto the said cabling station in their module carrier into thepre-insertion position.

The invention is not restricted to the example described and inparticular the cover forming this frame could be a separate part in thesame way as the crimping terminations can be of a type other than thering type.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection device for a flexible circuitcomprising: a series of connectors having terminations constructed toengage said flexible circuit by crimping; a casing fitted with at leastone row of longitudinal plug sockets for the reception of said series ofconnectors, said casing constructed with a cover component which can bemanipulated between a pre-insertion position and a locked position, saidcover component constructed as a frame defining an opening for admissionof a crimping tool component for engaging said crimping terminationswith said flexible circuit.
 2. A connection device for a flexiblecircuit, according to claim 1, wherein the casing further comprises awindow arranged opposite to said opening in said cover component,between a front portion of the casing which includes the plug socketsand a rear portion of said casing, said window forming an opening foradmitting a counter thrust tool.
 3. A connection device, according toclaim 1, where the frame and the casing are provided with supplementarylatching components to lock said cover component in the locked position.4. A connection device, according to claim 1, wherein the frame isconstructed with an opening which provides a space for the introductionof the flexible circuit when said cover component is in the lockedposition.
 5. A connection device, according to claim 1, wherein theframe may be raised with respect to the flexible circuit connectionterminations to provide a space for the introduction of the flexiblecircuit.
 6. A connection device, according to claim 1, furthercomprising a module carrier constructed to receive multiple assembledunits of said casing and said series of connectors wherein said unitsare sequentially stacked to provide loading and crimping of each of saidunits.
 7. A connection device, according to claim 1, wherein the covercomponent is provided with at least one lug and a seat for the receptionand retention of the said lug and further wherein said lug engages saidseat through a hole constructed in said flexible circuit.
 8. Aconnection device, according to claim 7, wherein said lug is borne by afolding blade terminal which forms part of the frame.
 9. A method ofassembling a connection device for a flexible circuit having a series ofconnectors having terminations constructed to engage said flexiblecircuit by crimping and a casing fitted with at least one row oflongitudinal plug sockets for the reception of said series ofconnectors, said casing constructed with a cover component (5) which canbe manipulated between a pre-insertion position and a locked position,said cover component constructed as a frame defining an opening foradmission of a crimping tool for engaging said crimping terminationswith said flexible circuit, said method comprising the steps of:inserting said connectors into the plug sockets; closing the covercomponents over the connectors, said connectors being exposed throughsaid opening in said frame; inserting said flexible circuit between saidframe of said cover component and said crimping terminations; andcrimping terminations to connect said flexible circuit to saidconnection device by means of a crimping tool inserted through saidopening.
 10. The method of assembling, according to claim 9 furthercomprising the step of: crimping of said crimping terminations toconnect said flexible circuit to said connection device by means of atool inserted into said opening of the frame and a counter thrust toolinserted into a window constructed in the casing.
 11. The method ofassembling, according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:constructing said flexible circuit with at least one hol; and centeringand locking the flexible circuit into the casing by the insertion of alug constructed as part of the cover component into the hole after saidflexible circuit is inserted into the casing.
 12. The method ofassembling, according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:constructing a carrier for receiving multiple units of casings andconnectors; and sequentially stacking said multiple units within saidcarrier in a manner which allows the sequential crimping of saidcrimping connectors by crimping of said crimping terminations to connectsaid flexible circuit to said connection device by means of a toolinserted into said opening of the frame and a counter thrust toolinserted into a window constructed in the casing.